This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Week is 7th grader Grace Downey.

Grace is a first year member of the JV and Varsity Softball Program. Grace played some on both teams during the season and helped the softball program have its best season in school history. This was the first year that the Lady Wolverines won the conference and have advanced far into the playoffs.
Grace played right field for varsity; she pitched and played outfield for JV. Her JV coach, Daniel Westmoreland, says that Grace helped them pick up two huge wins against future conference rivals Broome and Chapman. He adds that she pitched in both games and had multiple RBIs. Her varsity coach, Keith Workman, says that Grace is an extremely hard worker who can lighten up any situation, and he expects big things out of her over the next 5 years.

Grace will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

L-R Hunter Barnett and Drew Arnold

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athletes of the Week are 7th grader Drew Arnold and 8th grader Hunter Barnett.

Drew is a first year member of the Woodruff High School JV Soccer Team. He played mid-fielder for the team this year and helped the inexperienced JV team have a very successful year going 3-4-3. Head coach, Michael Tumblin, says that Drew played very hard this year as a mid-fielder and would do whatever was asked of him. Coach Tumblin adds that Drew has a lot of potential to help the Soccer program in the years to come.

Hunter is a second year member of the Woodruff High School JV Soccer Team. He played forward for the team this year and helped the inexperience JV team have a very successful year going 3-4-3. Hunter and the team had an exciting game in their last week of play against rival conference member Broome High. The game finished in a tie and went to overtime penalty kicks. The game came down to the penalty kicks tied at 2-2 and Woodruff had one last attempt and Hunter stepped up and scored the final goal and lead the team to a big victory of 4-3. Head coach, Michael Tumblin, says that Hunter worked hard all year long and that shot couldn’t have happened to a better young man.

Drew and Hunter will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athletes of the Week are 7th grader Keith Pearson and 8th grader Sariah Whitmire.

Keith is a first year member of the WHS Varsity Track Team. At the SSC Middle School Invitational held at SCSDB, Keith scored 40 points for the team and helped the team win 1st place amongst 5 other middle schools. Keith placed 1st in the 100m, 200m, and triple jump. He ran the anchor on the 4x4 relay team. His head coach, Michael Stokes, says that Keith has a great attitude and wants to do all the events if he could; Coach Stokes says, “If high school track had a decathlon Keith would be the ideal person for it and could do it.”

Sariah is a second year member of the WHS Varsity Track Team. At the SSC Middle School Invitational held at SCSDB, Sariah scored 40 points for the team and helped the girls win 1st place amongst 5 other middle schools. Sariah won the 100m and 200m races. She also was the anchor on the 4x1 relay team and the 1st leg on the 4x4 relay team that placed first. Her head coach, Michael Stokes, says that Sariah is a dedicated athlete and a leader among the 7th and 8th grade track members.

Keith and Sariah will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Week is 7th grader Neely Lambert.

Neely is a first year member of the WHS Jv Girls Soccer team and plays the position of sweeper for the team. Coach Fran Thomas says that Neely is like the quarterback for the defense and against Eastside she stopped several breakaways and held the well known soccer school to zero goals. Coach Thomas adds that Neely is a leader on the field, she will talk to the other defensive players and lets them know who to mark and what to do. She also leads not just by her words but also by her actions as she always comes in first in any kind of running the team does in practice. She works very hard on defense. Neely’s efforts have helped the JV girls team begin the season undefeated with a 5-0 record.

Neely will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Week is 8th grader Monica Harmon.

Monica is a second year member of the JV Girls WHS Soccer team. Monica helped the Lady Wolverines start another great season with two victories in their first two games. Monica played a great all-around game and received an assist against conference rival Broome to help defeat them 2-0. Her coach, Fran Thomas, says that Monica was a leader out on the field and dominated the midfield. Monica also played extremely well against Emerald scoring the first goal to get the offense going and again dominated the midfield enroot to defeating Emerald 8-0.

Monica will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athletes of the Week is 8th grader Bailey Cooper.

Bailey is a second year member of the WMS Cubs Wrestling team. This past weekend was the annual Peachtree Conference Tournament hosted by McCraken Middle School. Bailey defeated all of his opponents in the 140 pound class to win the first place medal for the entire tournament. His coach, Michael Tumblin, says, “This was huge for Bailey and our team as it proved on that day that Bailey was and is the best 140 pound wrestler in the entire 11-member Peachtree Conference.” Coach Tumblin adds that he hopes that Bailey uses this as motivation to continue to work hard and get better.

Bailey will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School
Athlete of the Week

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Week is 8th grader Jessie Mims.

Jessie is a member of the middle school wrestling team and wrestles at the 125 lb class. He helped the team defeat Mabry last week. Jessie individually won 2 of his 3 matches; his 2 wins were by pins. Head Coach Michael Tumblin says that Jessie has improved a lot and is showing a lot of potential as he continues to work hard.

Jessie will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athletes of the Week are Rodasia Foster and Quin Shumpert.

Rodasia is a second year starter and current team captain for the Lady Cub’s basketball team. Head Coach Daniel Addis says that although Rodasia’s natural position is a shooting guard she has done a good job taking on the responsibility of point guard. Rodasia has had a phenomenal individual start for the team in the first five games averaging 13.2 points a game of the team’s 18.8 point average. She is averaging 1.5 three-pointers and multiple steals and rebounds per game. Rodasia’s season high in five games is 15 points. Coach Addis adds that as Rodasia works harder on her defense and gets faster she is going to be a complete player for the Wolverines for four years.

Quin is a second year member of the boy’s basketball team playing the center position and assuming the role as team captain. Quin had an outstanding individual effort in a tough loss to the taller and more athletic Carver team in the Cubs’ last game. Quin had a career high game, recording a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Head Coach Bryan McConnell says of Quin’s breakout game, “We have been pushing him and telling him that he is a good player. We’ve been waiting for him to believe it and show-case it; he did so in the game against Carver.” Coach McConnell adds that Quin is a great young man on and off the court and has been a great Captain for this team. “Quin seldom speaks, but when he does, the team listens.”

Rodasia and Quin will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Week is 8th grader Sha’don Jones.

Sha’don is a second year starter for the WMS boys’ basketball team. Sha’don had a special night in the opening regular season game for the Cubs as he helped the team beat visiting rival Sims with a score of 42-38.

Sha’don had an outstanding individual performance scoring a career high 28 points. He made 11 of 16 shots from the field, hitting 2 of 5 three pointers. Sha'don made a clutch basket down the stretch and sank some crucial free throws to seal the victory for the Cubs.
Sha’don scored all the team’s 7 points in the 4th quarter to bring the Cubs down from 37-38 to a victory of 42-38. Sha’don also had a great defensive game as he had multiple steals and held Sims’ best shooter to only one basket in the entire second half.

Coach McConnell said, “Sha’don had one of those nights that every kid dreams of; it was as if he could not be stopped and he was in the “zone”.” Coach McConnell adds, “It was a pleasure to watch Sha’don’s teammates get excited in watching everything he was accomplishing on the court as we all cheered him on.”

Sha’don will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Week is 8th grader Qua Phelps.

Qua is a second year member of the WMS Football team. This past week in the final game of the season, Qua helped the Cubs defeat Sims 34-20. Qua had two touchdowns to help improve the 8th grade’s record to 5-2 and wrap up the season in 3rd place in the 11-member conference. Head Coach Phil Hembree says Qua is an excellent football player and an even better leader. This year Qua played both receiver and defensive back for the team. Coach Hembree adds that he expects big things from Qua over the next four years as a Wolverine.

Qua will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

Jamon is a member of the 7th grade football team. He has had a very successful season as running back,  including scoring four rushing touchdowns against Gable to help secure the first 7th grade win of the season with a commanding victory of 30-12.  On defense, Jamon plays safety and handles all of the kicking duties on special teams. Head Coach Phil Hembree says Jamon has done an excellent job for the 7th grade team this year and he expects big things from him in the future.

Jerome is a member of the 8th grade football team and has helped the Cubs post a winning record of 4-2.  The Cubs are currently third place in the 11-member Peachtree Conference. Last week Jerome had 6 individual tackles against Gable to help secure the 16-0 victory. This was Jerome’s fourth straight game in which he led the team in tackles. Head Coach Phil Hembree says that Jerome has improved each week and has turned into a dominating defensive tackle and knows that Jerome will do great things for Woodruff in maroon and gold next year.

Jamon and Jerome will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Weeks is 7th grader Tobi West.

Tobi is a first year player for the WMS Volleyball team. Coach Tonja Westmoreland says that Tobi tried out for the team with no volleyball experience but has proven to be a real volleyball athlete. Coach Westmoreland adds that Tobi is a coachable player who listens carefully and works hard in practice to get better. She has helped the Lady Cubs have a great year with only one game left in the regular season; currently the Lady Cubs are 12-7 and tied for 2nd place in the 11-member conference. Tobi helped the team last week pick up a win with 6 spikes and great defense. Coach Westmoreland says that Tobi has grown up quickly as a player and knows she is going to help the Lady Cubs make a great run in the Peachtree Volleyball Tournament held Saturday October 22 at the Westside Club in Spartanburg.

Tobi will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Weeks is 8th grader Megan Vaughn.

Megan is a first year cheerleader for the Woodruff Middle School Pep Squad and first year member of the JV Woodruff High School Competitive Cheer Squad. Her JV competitive cheer coach, Kacie Nelson, says that Megan is an outstanding backspot who also has worked hard to perfect her back-handspring technique with no spotter. Her pep coach, Selena Turnipseed, says tMegan has done well her first year beacsue of her personality and her willingness to get along well with her teammates.  Megan helped the Lady Wolverines place first in the Panther Prowl Competition held at Chapman High School and helped the team finish second at the Wolverine Invitational held at Woodruff last Monday.

Megan will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company. Congratulations!

Jolie is a first year member of the WHS JV Competitive Cheer Squad as well a member of the WMS Pep Squad. Jolie helped the Lady Wolverines pick up first place in the Panther Prowl Competition held at Chapman High School and second place in the Wolverine Invitational.  Her coach, Kacie Nelson, says that Jolie has progressed greatly in her stunts this year and she is always eager to try anything that is thrown at her. 

Valerie is a second year player for the WMS Volleyball team as well a captain this year.  Valerie has been very consistent for this year’s team and has helped the Lady Cubs win 10 of their 14 matches,  currently placing the team 3rd in the 11-member conference. For the season, Valerie has 6 kills/spikes and a total of 50 good serves, including  10 aces.  Last week she served the last 9 serves in a row in the second game against Sims, helping the Lady Cubs pick up the 25 – 12 victory.  Coach Westmoreland says that she is very proud of Valerie and knows she is going to continue to help the Wolverine Program.

Valerie and Jolie will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company.  Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athletes of the Week are 8th graders Stephanie Buckner and Emilee Phillips. Stephanie is a second year player for the WMS Cubs Volleyball team. She has helped the Cubs compile an 8-2 record and a current  3rd place standing in the Peachtree Conference.  Coach Tonja Westmoreland says that Stephanie is a great server and has grown so much as a player from last year, as evidenced by her 15spikes/kills this season.  Against Carver,  Stephanie served the last 13 serves in a row in the second game as the Lady Cubs won 25 – 10.  She has served a total of 60 good serves to date this season.  Of those 60 serves, 25 are aces.  Coach Westmoreland says that she feels confident where ever she places Stephanie on the court, she knows she will give her all.

Emilee is a second year player for the WMS Cubs Volleyball team and a captain this year.  She has helped the Cubs compile an 8-2 record and a current 3rd place standing in the Peachtree Conference.  Coach Tonja Westmoreland says that Emilee has a powerful serve that is difficult for the other team to receive which gives the Cubs several points every game. She currently has 26 spikes/kill serves. In the game against Boiling Springs,  Emilee served the last 13 serves in a row in the second game and led the Cubs to a 25 – 18 victory.  Emilee has served a total of 66 good serves so far this season.  Of those 66 good serves, 16 are aces.  Coach Westmoreland adds that Emilee is a consistent offensive and defensive player which is a great value to the team. 

Stephanie and Emilee will receive a t-shirt and a certificate from the Edward Jones Investment Company.  Congratulations!

This week’s Edward Jones/Woodruff Middle School Athlete of the Week is 8th grader Layne Melton.

Layne is a second year football player for Woodruff Middle School and has played quarterback both years.  He has helped the Cubs begin the season with a 2-0 record.  The wins were big victories against Rainbow Lake and Dawkins, avenging last year's 7th grade team losses to these same opponents.  

Against Rainbow Lake, Layne completed 12 passes, 2  for touchdowns, and also had one rushing touchdown. He also connected on 3 of 4 two-point conversions and led the Cubs to a 30-6 win.  Against Dawkins, Layne completed 10 passes, 2 for touchdowns, and converted both two-point conversions to lead the Cubs to a 16-6 victory and a 2-0 start in the Peachtree Conference.

Coach Hembree said that Layne has grown a lot from last year and has developed mental toughness. As he continues to work hard,  he is going to be a good quarterback at the next level, too.